You can buy ligularia at www.sissinghurst-hostas.com.
:)
Inviting plants for full shade?
Thanks, Pbtx. I forgot Sylvia had that.
DD ~ Scutellaria ~ the skullcaps... they aren't sensational or showy, just different. That's me... The photo is Scutellaria ~ suffrutescens Texas rose.
Do you leave your Mexican BOP in ground all year? I have one in a pot but no blooms last year.
Bohnnco ~ thanks for those suggestions. I have the Jacobinia and never gave it a thought for shady areas. That would be a bright spot in the shade. I also thought that was an interesting Salvia. I added it to the journal to research and will have to check into it. Appreciate the input!
The only place I had noticed the Leopard plant was while I was shopping thru PDN for shady suggestions... http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/Detail/02743.html Interesting plant but a monster with those leaves ~ LOL My area is too small for this one.
Pbtxlady ~ I am unable to access the Sissinghurst-hosta link... is it just me?
Pod, there's something wrong with the link I posted--it's sticking in the period and an extra www. Sorry.
Let's try this one:
http://www.sissinghurst-hostas.com/
If that doesn't work, just type in "sissinghurst-hostas" and hit control & enter at the same time.
I didn't read the whole thread but i do remember in New Braunfels that the prettiest shade bed I ever had consisted of Persian Shield and impatients all mixed together. When the Persian shield would get too tall, I would just snap the top off and stick it in the ground .
Close to the shade bed (shaded by a big oak tree) was the round area between two big oak trees where I planted the bright lime green sweet potato vine. It would start climbing up the oak trees.
It looked so pretty next to the bed of impatiens and Persian Shield. When winter came, I would just dig up the potatoes and store them for the winter only to plant them again in the spring in the same place.
I really love the Persian Shield but have had trouble keeping it going thru summer. It seemed to require lots of water. Definitely a shade plant tho.
Those sound like pretty colors when blended together. Did you find that these beds needed a good deal of water?
That link worked Pbtxlady ~ thank you. There are some beautiful photos there. I will have to do some perusing on that site.
Watch for a coop coming soon.
No, but thank you... I trying to use willpower. 8 ) I will not buy till I am ready to plant. Trying to learn from past mistakes. It is hard to accomplish much while working during the week and raining my weekends! The area is not ready yet...
Every plant I love needs to be watered regularly. I just put a sprinkler in the middle of the bed and watered that way with the impatiens and persian shield.
Pod- I have several of the Mex. BOP in ground and some have been there for several years. They do fine with winter. I think that they need to be large to bloom well. One of mine is about 7 foot and put on a very good show.
I have tried skullcap a few times but not much luck.
DD ~ I am guessing you are calling the Mexican Pride of Barbados the Bird of Paradise??? At least that was what I was told was the nickname for it. A POB rather than a BOP ~ LOL
Some of the trailing skullcaps did not like our heat/humidity. The name S. alpina should have been a clue....
GessieGail ~ as much as I love the bloomers, I try to stay away from water hogs in the garden. I will water to get a plant established and there it ends. I feel it is just a small thing I can do for the environment. (Saves me sanity too!) Almost along the lines of xeriscape but we get too much rain at times during the year. Not to worry though, I enjoy every one elses bloomers. 8 ))
POD it is POB not BOP-LOL... Mine does well and I think likes our heat and humidity. I am like you and do not like to water often. My place is too large for that routine and I do not like the heat and humidity of July and Aug. Brugs are about the only things that get that much attention.
My new area, down the hill is coming along as I add things daily. That area they get a coffee can full of water when planted then they will be on their own. Maybe a sprinkle of 13-13-13 prior to a rain.
I really like the oakleaf hydrangea as it looks good in all seasons. It does grow large in semi-shade. Yesterday I went to a friends and dug many for the MG plant sale coming up next month. Guess I got around 25 of them potted up in gal. and 5 gal. pots. Hope they get well established in the next month. May put one in the new area but they will need watering once a week for several weeks until they are going good.
My new area is about 1/4 finished now. Have drifts of several things. I do not know latin names but here is what is planted now. Texas red salvia, coriopsis, fern leaf yarrow-white, purple obedient and purple cone flower. Now need larger shrub type things. May try a mock orange/English dogwood and the oakleaf. I have found several of the almost wild nandina (?) growing in the woods and may move a clump of 3 there. After they bloom and I see the color, I will move TB iris and daylilies. The stone trail is still a thought only but as I planted I discovered many rocks that are piled up waiting on me. I have enough of the yellow blooming sedum to border and go between the stone path. I love this time of year. Now has the last frost come and gone ? Not Easter for more than a week.
As I work on this I ask why did I begin with so many other chores needing to be done. Must get the leaves and pine straw out of beds and moved to cover trails in other areas. Guess I just like to create and not maintain. Will be day light soon better get moving.
DD
Morning ~ I love this time of year too. Am frustrated by rain on my days off but I'm weeding like a fiend in the evenings till dark.
I hate to bank on no more freezes here, Easter comes very early this year. I have a Nandina that I dug up on the edge of the road. Mine stays stunted, it is in a contained area and has not spread so I am comfortable with it. I know you don't need the warning but they sprout in the woods and ditches for a reason...
I will have to find a good spot to plop the POB in the ground. It is a struggle to keep it watered in a pot. The pots are the only thing that gets water so I shouldn't say I don't...
Pod, have you seen these? Or tried them?I'm thinking of trying the home made version(bottom of link) for tomatoes. http://www.enewsbuilder.net/watercon/e_article000533719.cfm?x=bbrDcbK,b2FRwTrq,w
Ddtx, I remember you said you did cuttings of Hoja Santa last year. How did you do them? Did you have to remove most of the leaf?
I have tons of Hoja Santa. The mother plant puts out long lateral roots and the pups come up from there. They were coming up when we got the 27 degrees and they were burned. When it finally warms up, they will all be back. I can supply the world by summer. Just dig the root endings. Very easy.
Christi
What a cool product the Ollas are! Thanks for the link. That is a keeper. I will have to search but remember seeing these somewhere and had NO clue as to their use. I don't see why water soluble fertilizer couldn't be included. Unless the fertilizer salts would block the pores. That would surely make life in the garden easier and vacation would be almost carefree!
Around here the minerals in our hard water would block the pores. I think this sounds like a GREAT product. But I'd also think that you'd have to dig them up every year and scrub the pot. Which is still a lot easier than extra watering!
Amen! I think it will be a terrific idea. Am still wracking my brain as to where I have seen these.
We should be able to just set a saucer over the opening for mosquito control too. Or sprinkle a few mosquito dunks.
The Hoja Santa or rootbeer plant sends out under ground roots and this is the best way to get new plants. I have not seen any green on my mother plant yet so may need to take you up, Christi, on getting another start.
On the watering of veggies, I have tried using 5 gal plastic buckets. Drill very small holes with a drill. This lets water seep out. No problem with mineral buildup. I put the lid on top to solve bug problems. I cover the lid with pine straw to hide it. You can also put old manure in the bucket so that plants get watered with the Tea each time. May have to add to it as time goes on. Used coffee grounds and/or other compostable things works too.
Started the path down the hill. May do stepping stones instead of a solid path as it is wearing me out carrying the rocks.
DD
DD ~ When you put the lid on the bucket, does it not create a vacuum so water won't seep out? I had tried with gallon jugs but would find the jug collapsed even with the cap ajar.
On your rock walk... do you use anything to move the stones? Being basically puny here, I've learned tricks over the years. I use a lil red wagon, a two wheeler, a trailer with a drive up ramp, pry bars, have rolled heavy things on tarps and dragged them. Whatever it takes to get the job done but still saving the body parts. LOL I'm at an age that I am starting to see the physical effects ~ ouch!
The only thing I have had trouble with is the top of the birdbath. It is old and weighs a ton. Right now, the base needs leveling again and I dread removing the basin. I am going to build up a scaffold of sorts and I can slide the top. Will try that when my courage is high and my brains are weak! LOL
The buckets I used were the 5 gallon paint cans that I got from a constuction site. They will not collaspe as they are well made. You can buy them at box stores but I am too frugal for that.
I have stones all over my property from huge to smaller managable sized. When they dug my septic tank they hit solid rock. They wanted to haul them off and charge me a huge price. I just had them take large scoops of them and dump them around in piles where I might want flower beds. I have used every method known to mankind to move them. So far there is not a way that does not work over a puny very old body. Best for me is a garden cart, the 4 wheel type that I hook up to my 4 wheeler. They still have to be loaded and unloaded but this method allows me to walk the next day. LOL....I just do a little of this heavy work then go to an easy chore to rest. This was the method that allowed me to line both side of my drive with stones, It is 150 yards long. I keep telling myself that this little path is nothing like that driveway job. A very helpful tool I have is a heavy duty shovel with a 7' metal handle welded onto it. This works well for a shovel/pry bar used when I hit rock in new plantings. Oh what we do as gardeners.
Better try to get this body moving and productive.
Thanks Christi and Dd, I don't know where I got it in my head the Hoja Santa could be done by cuttings. I guess i'll bit the bullet and move mine out into more sun. Mine isn't up either, Dd. just getting a jump on my cutting "to do list". I don't think it comes up until the nights are constantly warm.
I thought about doing something like the buckets and milk jugs. I'm glad to hear your results, Pod. I was wondering if they would blow around once empty too. The ollas link has me wondering if home grown gourds with pin holes would work.
I would still like to get a few of the clay ollas. I read about a hard wood cutting method using a clay pot filled with water placed into a clay pot holding sand and cutting. Sounds like the ollas would well in that situation too.
I enjoy this thread because I wanted some ideas for shade plants also. I really like the ollas ideas. I have some smaller cans that I opened with the can opener that does not leave a sharp edge and I kept the lids figured something would come up they could be used for. I will try using them for this. I also have used larger tin lids to make plates for my granddaughter to paint and use as doll plates and tea sets.
Hi Clerkie ~ I am glad you joined us. I think if we make containers to water with, the holes will have to be tiny or else the water will seep out too quickly. The porousness of clay is probably just right to keep the roots from being over watered. I am understanding that the ollas are buried in ground near the plants right? Are y'all burying the buckets or tins too?
Any chance of a co-op of Ollas? I haven't joined in on a co-op but this may bait me. 8 )
for your entertainment
http://www.enewsbuilder.net/watercon/e_article000533719.cfm?x=bbrDcbK,b2FRwTrq,w
That is a neat link, isn't it.
I have one of those porous clay steaming pots with a lid. It would need a fill hole but that might work to be sealed like the clay pots they show.
podster Yes bury the pots by your plants, I am going to put one in between two plants and see if they give enough water. I am going to put as small holes as I can so that it kind of drips instead of streams. I also thought about not keeping it filled every day if it runs out to fast. This will be a trial by error for me but I kinda like doing that. I may also try the clay flower pots glued together maybe one or two to see if there is any difference in the plants. I will bury the tins in between the plants mainly mt tomatoe plants, I hate standing there to water plants this sounds just right for me!
I did a bit more internet searching and found a video demo, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1zJlwRz-s4 I'm wondering if Marshall Pottery would have anything close to an olla.
I started reading this thread for ideas for my own deep shade, but must share one myself! Forgive me if this has been mentioned already, but I have night-blooming jasmine in deep shade. It gets clusters of white flowers that release their fragrance at night. The plant stays green all year with white berries in the winter. New plants pop up each year -- maybe birds carrying berries? I think that tendency to populate would work well in a forest.
BTW, I was really excited by all y'alls suggestions!
Love this thread -- such great ideas for shade. I have one more to share that I don't think has been mentioned -- Spike Moss Gold Tips, also called Selaginella Kraussiana. I have just planted some this year for full shade and it is gorgeous -- really brightens up a deep shade area for me.
Farfugium japonicum 'Giganteum' (Giant Leopard Plant)
WOW! Be still my heart!
I think I have an Ollas, my girlfriend gave it tome because I thought it was the most interesting piece. The top is the same circumference as the pot. Gee I hope that is what it is ... now I will have a story to tell her husband, as she passed last year ... we always thought it was the weirdest pot.
Farfugium japonicum 'Giganteum' (Giant Leopard Plant)
WOW! Be still my heart!
I think I have an Ollas, my girlfriend gave it tome because I thought it was the most interesting piece. The top is the same circumference as the pot. Gee I hope that is what it is ... now I will have a story to tell her husband, as she passed last year ... we always thought it was the weirdest pot. It really a neat piece.
Sylvia, did you move to a large enough yard? LOL Your passion seems to be for large leaf plants...
I have been searching and find no mail order source for ollas. Y'all may have to take up pottery classes to go into a new business. I will be a customer... 8 )
Trunnels ~ spike moss gold tips is one I need to check out. How tall does it grow for you? Almost sounds punk ~ lol
Elphaba ~ is your night blooming jasmine a shrub? vine? lower plant? Does it bloom all summer?
I really like the Selaginella Kraussiana. We had foundation work done on the north side of the house (the same side we have expanded the yard). I need to plant something in the clay on this shady side of the house.
My problem is seeing as it is pure clay and I won't be able to irrigate in that area, the clay will dry out at times. This plant indicate constant moisture. Not sure I can deliver. I sure can't invest that kind of money to cover this area just to lose these plants. Would feel worse about the green (money) invested than the green (plants) lost...
I guess I better go back to my original thought of dichondra seeding in the clay near the house.
I'm going to try to do a link to the night-blooming jasmine in the plant files. I'm not sure how y'all do this, but here goes:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2128/
Here's a picture of one right now when it's at its ugliest in an ugly part of the yard! It's getting dappled morning sun now, but in summer it's in deep shade. Mine blooms in flushes several times during the summer usually after a good rain. The berries disappear fast which is probably why there aren't any pictures of them. I think something enjoys eating them vs. the idea that they fall off fast. Also, in the plant files it has zone 10 and higher, but I've had no trouble in zone 9. They do become more spindly looking in the winter.
I can see why they are loved. Do you keep yours pruned? They appear to grow quite tall.
BTW, your link worked just fine. Amazing how computer literate I have become thanks to gardening! LOL